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A few days ago, I shared with you a NPS-related update titled "Unilever National Park". If I was not so concerned about the possibility of burning you out with overly frequent updates, I could send similar privatization updates on a daily basis -- the action is now occurring at such a fast and furious pace. As it is, I share only a small sampling of the almost continuous train of new privatization developments affecting your National Park System and robbing you of your American Commons.
Some people do not know that agreements such as the one described in the appended News Release have anything to do with privatization. Some are totally unaware that volunteerism is a privatization tool favored by right-wing think tanks, by the Libertarian ideologues running the Dept. of Interior and by the Bush Administration. Some haven't a clue that Quasi Governmental organizations such at the National Park Foundation are being used for the purpose of shrinking government and replacing it with corporate rule. Some will find nothing disconcerting about the appended announcement. I suppose a few may even support such partnerships --- after all, it is a way to generate "FREE" money and "FREE" publicity for our Parks, is it not??
Some day, perhaps with your help, the vast majority of Americans will understand what is wrong with partnerships such these. Some day, perhaps if we are lucky, it will not be considered either appropriate or necessary to whore out America's Crown Jewels or force park managers to sleep with anyone who waves a $50 bill under their nose.
Then again, some day, we may get to witness Mussolini's seamless merging of state and corporate power. The CHOICE is ours.
Scott
"The advanced nations have entered a pre-fascist social condition that will ripen in various ugly ways if the market's imperatives prevail, if commerce and finance refuse to compromise their objectives." - William Greider, 1999
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PRESS RELEASE /
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InfoZone
Choice Hotels
May 25, 2005
Choice Hotels, National Park Foundation Align to Promote Tourism, Volunteerism at National Parks
SILVER SPRING, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 25, 2005--Worldwide lodging
franchisor Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) has joined forces
with the National Park Foundation (NPF) to support programs, promotions
and initiatives that foster visits to and volunteerism at America's
national parks.
Choice Hotels' President and CEO Charles A. Ledsinger, Jr., launched
the partnership with the presentation to NPF of a $100,000 contribution
from the Choice Hotels Foundation; these funds will be used in support
of volunteerism initiatives within the national parks. Choice Hotels
will also provide tactical marketing support to the NPF, to include the
creation of a first-ever quarterly e-newsletter promoting volunteerism
at the parks and disseminated via Choice Hotels' online communications
channels; the opportunity for members of the company's Choice
Privileges guest rewards program to convert awards points for National
Park Passes; and the development of a discounted rate program for park
volunteers who stay at Choice brand hotels.
"Almost two-thirds of the hotels in our domestic system - roughly 2,500
properties - are located within a 50-mile radius of one of America's
national parks," said Ledsinger. "Aligning our resources with NPF's
volunteerism goals has the potential to greatly enhance our environment
and our nation." "We're grateful to Choice Hotels for their leadership
in supporting America's national parks," said Michael Bento, NPF senior
vice president, marketing & communications.
"Volunteerism not only benefits the national parks, it enriches the
lives of our volunteers. We're very pleased that we'll be able to
recruit more volunteers thanks to the support of Choice Hotels." Choice
Hotels' support of NPF's volunteerism initiatives targets three primary
constituencies: the company's associates, its franchisees and guests
who stay at Choice brand properties. Associates and franchisees will be
encouraged via regular communications and direct links to Choice
Hotels' intranet site to volunteer at the parks.
They will also be able to purchase Park Passes via a direct link from
the intranet site. Guests at Choice brand hotels will also be
encouraged to volunteer at the parks via a direct link from
choicehotels.com, the company's proprietary web site; they will also be
able to purchase Park Passes via the site link. "In the aggregate, our
millions of hotel guests, franchisees and associates represent a
tremendous pool of potential volunteers, contributors, and visitors to
national parks," Ledsinger said.
"Choice Hotels is proud to join NPF in promoting these cherished
national resources as places to visit and to volunteer." Worldwide
lodging franchisor Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) markets more
than 5,000 hotels in over 40 countries under the brand names Comfort
Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, MainStay Suites,
Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn. The company's newest brand, Cambria
Suites, launched in January 2005. For more information on Choice, visit
the company's web site at choicehotels.com.
The National Park Foundation (www.nationalparks.org), chartered by
Congress in 1967, is the official nonprofit partner of America's
national parks. The National Park Foundation strengthens the enduring
connection between the American people and their national parks by
raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative
partnerships and increasing public awareness. Over the past seven years
alone, the Foundation has contributed more than $135 million in total
grants and program support to national parks across the country. Choice
Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites,
Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, MainStay Suites, Cambria Suites, Econo
Lodge, Rodeway Inn and Choice Privileges are proprietary trademarks and
service marks of Choice Hotels International.
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